Best of Big D 2010: Best of the Burbs

We asked some local notables about the best places to eat, drink, and play (along with one wildcard) in their hometowns. Here are their picks.

From D Magazine August 2010Jan Strimple. photography by Manny Rodriguez

Irving

Jan Strimple, model, fashion show and event producer

Best Place to Eat: Cafe on the Green at The Four Seasons (4150 N. MacArthur Blvd. 972-717-2420). “Excellent, beautifully presented food with a good wine menu.” Best Place to Play: The Fundamental Golf School (5310 W. Airport Fwy. 972-513-0004). “The caliber of instruction is incredible. It’s owned by my husband. He’s one of the leading teaching professionals. His lessons are incredible.” Best Place to Shop: Asia Boutique & Saree Center (535 W. Airport Fwy. 972-255-5810). “In five years, the answer to that question will be different, but for anything Indian—jewelry, fabrics, or food—Asia Boutique & Saree Center is great. It has an unusual assortment of sarees and some of the Indian paste jewelry. It’s a great spot, great choices.”

Chris Osserman.
photography courtesy of Chris Osserman

Plano

Chris Osserman, chef on Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown

Best Place to Eat:Jasper’s (7161 Bishop Rd. 469-229-9111). “The food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is terrific.” Best Place to Drink: Any of the many places in The Shops at Legacy (7300 Lone Star Dr. 214-473-8880). “Wonderful atmosphere, pleasant outdoor spaces, and great people-watching.” Best Place to Play: Central Market (320 Coit Rd. 469-241-8300) or Market Street (1929 Preston Rd. 972-713-5500). “It may sound strange, but for me, shopping at Central Market for unique food items is as good as a day at play gets.” Best Place to Shop: The Shops at Willow Bend (6121 W. Park Blvd. 972-202-7110). “Beautiful mall, great stores.” Wildcard: Living in Plano. “A great, well-managed city filled with great people and amenities.”

Heath Pearce.
photography courtesy of Heath Pearce

Frisco

Heath Pearce, FC Dallas, U.S. National Team

Best Place to Eat: Jinbeh (2693 Preston Rd. 214-619-1200). “They have really great sushi, and really great specials each week. Anytime I’m looking for consistency and a great meal I go there.” Best Place to Drink: The Londoner (5454 Main St., Ste. 123. 214-618-5025). “It just opened, but they have a large drink selection, and a good atmosphere. It’s a fun place to go, and they have a lot of drink specials and that sort of thing.” Best Place to Shop: The Stonebriar Centre Mall (2601 Preston Rd. 972-668-6255). “Decent selection of stores and shops, and a couple of boutique-type shops that don’t carry stuff other people are carrying.”

Dan Henry.
photography courtesy of Fox 4

Southlake

Dan Henry, chief meteorologist at FOX 4

Best Places to Eat: Truluck’s (1420 Plaza Pl. 817-912-0500). “It’s a place you can go and have a romantic dinner, but by the same token, you can go out with friends and have a few drinks.” Jersey Mike’s Subs (410 W. Southlake Blvd. 817-488-9090). “I like their Italian sandwich and their club sandwich—I usually get it Mike’s way.” Best Place to Drink: The patio at Brio Tuscan Grille (1431 Plaza Pl. 817-310-3136). “They have a nice outdoor area that overlooks the town square. It’s a popular spot.” Best Place to Play: Southlake Town Square has everything—nice shopping, a nice theater, really great restaurants. It’s all there. It’s the central focal point of Southlake. They’ve got great festivals there, and concerts are there all the time.”

Greg Harvey.
photography courtesy of Greg Harvey

Rockwall

Greg Harvey, Rockwall-Heath High School head baseball coach

Best Place to Eat: L Trevino’s (2555 Ridge Rd. 972-771-1406). “I love Mexican food. Their chips and hot sauce are about as good as it gets. It has also become a tradition for me as a baseball coach to eat there before games.” Best Place to Drink: Harvey is not allowed to drink alcohol in Rockwall, so he picked Primo’s Tex-Mex Grille (4861 Bass Pro Dr., Garland. 972-226-8100). “They have an outdoor patio area that overlooks the lake.”

Best Place to Play: Shenaniganz (1290 E. I-30. 972-722-1133). “They have a little bit of everything—bowling, video games, TV screens to watch sports, and it has a really neat atmosphere.” Best Place to Shop: Rockwall Sports Center (579 E. I-30. 972-772-3054). “I know the owners there. They’re great people there and really cater to your needs.”